Cal Day, Berkeley’s annual open house, takes place Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy lectures, sports, art, music and tours at venues throughout campus. Visit http://www.berkeley.edu/calday for a complete schedule of events.

While Cal Day is an important event for the campus community and prospective students, it also is an opportunity for our city neighbors to find out what the university is all about.

To enhance town/gown interaction, the Office of Community Relations has arranged a day-long performance series for Cal Day, featuring groups from Berkeley schools and art organizations.

“Including the community as part of our open house sends a message that this campus is their campus too,” said Doreen Moreno, a campus community affairs specialist. “As a public university, it’s vitally important to continuously strengthen our partnerships with our surrounding neighbors.”

Scheduled to perform is the Capoeira Arts Academy, whose members practice an African/ Brazilian art form that incorporates dance, music and self-defense techniques. Chinese bicultural students from Jefferson Elementary School will perform a lion dance, symbolizing prosperity and good luck, and a tai chi martial arts fan dance.

Visitors can dance to the tropical sounds of a Caribbean steel band, courtesy of the Longfellow Arts and Technology Magnet Middle School, and the Berkeley Jazzschool offers up its Brazilian Ensemble.

In addition to the performances, several community organizations will be represented at the Cal Day Information Marketplace, located between Dwinelle and Sproul Plazas. The Downtown Berkeley Association, city of Berkeley, Solano Avenue Association, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Telegraph Business Improvement District and YMCA will provide information on the services and resources they offer.